Aviation Program

Overview

The Division of Forestry provides fire protection services on 150 million acres of land, and much of it is remote and inaccessible, requiring the use of airplanes and helicopters. The Division contracts the majority of its aircraft resources from the private sector, and manages and operates a combination of air tankers, helicopters, and miscellaneous fixed wing aircraft to deliver firefighters, mobilize emergency firefighters, move equipment and supplies, and drop fire retardant on fires. Close coordination between the state and federal agencies maximizes the use of aviation resources. Cooperative state and federal aviation management saves money.